Historical abundance of juvenile commercial fish in coastal habitats: Implications for fish habitat management in Canada |
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| Institution: | 1. Ruđer Bošković Institute, Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;2. University of Dubrovnik, Department of Aquaculture, Ćira Carića 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia;3. University of Split, University Department of Marine Studies, Ruđera Boškovića 37, 21000 Split, Croatia;1. Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Wadden Sea Station Sylt, Hafenstrasse 43, 25992 List/Sylt, Germany;2. NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Coastal Systems, and Utrecht University, P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands;1. The School of Plant Biology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, Western Australia, Australia;2. The UWA Oceans Institute (M470), The University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, Western Australia, Australia;3. Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Fisheries, Government of Western Australia, P.O. Box 20, North Beach 6920, Western Australia, Australia;1. Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions (CSES), School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia;2. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, UWA (MO96), 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia;3. NSW Department of Primary Industries, Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, Locked Bag 1, Nelson Bay, NSW 2315, Australia;4. School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia |
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| Abstract: | An important component of science-based fisheries policy is the provision of habitat adequate for population renewal. In Canada, the Fisheries Act pays little attention to managing fish habitat, and was further weakened by changes enacted in 2012. Specifically, determining the role of fish habitat in contributing to fisheries and fish stock recovery is challenging when many stocks have severely declined and no longer occupy former habitats. This study compared the abundance of juvenile fish in coastal vegetated habitats before and after collapse or decline of groundfish stocks in Atlantic Canada. This comparison was done by compiling past studies that surveyed juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and pollock (Pollachius virens) in vegetated habitats across three provinces. Two studies were repeated, and one that already had post-collapse data was analyzed to quantify long-term changes in juvenile abundance. In all three cases substantial reduction in juvenile abundance coincided with declines in adult stocks. However, juvenile fish still occur in coastal habitats and could aid in adult stock recovery. The current version of the Canadian Fisheries Act requires presence of an ongoing fishery to trigger habitat protection. This is problematic as low fish abundance may lead to lowered habitat protection and potentially habitat degradation, with less or lesser-quality habitat for fish in the future. Thus, recommendations are made to repeal the 2012 Fisheries Act changes and enhance current fish habitat legislation. Using a precautionary approach for coastal fish habitat management, particularly in valuing its potential for fish stock recovery, would strengthen Canadian fisheries management. |
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| Keywords: | Fisheries policy Coastal zone management Nursery habitat Fish stock collapse Historical baseline |
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